More than 80 evangelical leaders from different theological and eschatological backgrounds signed a statement this week supporting Israel’s right to defend itself and calling on Christians around the world to pray for peace.
“While our theological perspectives on Israel and the Church may vary, we are unified in calling attacks against Jewish people especially troubling as they have been often targeted by their neighbors since God called them as His people in the days of Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3),” it says, in part.
The “Evangelical Statement in Support of Israel” includes signatures from some of the top leaders in evangelicalism, including: Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission; Bart Barber, president of the Southern Baptist Convention; Russell Moore, editor in chief of Christianity Today; Tony Evans, pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas; Matt Markins, president and CEO of Awana; John Stonestreet, president of The Colson Center; Kristen Waggoner, president and CEO of Alliance Defending Freedom; Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in California; and Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
“In the wake of the evil and indefensible atrocities now committed against the people of Israel by Hamas, we, the undersigned, unequivocally condemn the violence against the vulnerable, fully support Israel’s right and duty to defend itself against further attack, and urgently call all Christians to pray for the salvation and peace of the people of Israel and Palestine,” the statement begins.
The statement notes that Israel has faced “numerous attacks, incursions, and violations of its national sovereignty” since it was established in 1948.
“The Jewish people have long endured genocidal attempts to eradicate them and to destroy the Jewish state. These antisemitic, deadly ideologies and terrorist actions must be opposed. Israel stands as a rare example of democracy in a region dominated by authoritarian regimes. The tragic events of October 7th further underscore the importance of democracy in our world and stand as a sober reminder that supporting Israel’s right to exist is both urgent and needed.”
Israel, the statement says, has a right to respond.
“In keeping with Christian Just War tradition, we also affirm the legitimacy of Israel’s right to respond against those who have initiated these attacks as Romans 13 grants governments the power to bear the sword against those who commit such evil acts against innocent life,” it says. “Furthermore, we recognize the dignity and personhood of all persons living in the Middle East and affirm God’s love for them as well as His offer of salvation through Jesus Christ to all people.
“We also recognize the difficult ministry of Jewish and Palestinian believers who labor for the gospel. We pray for their protection and for God’s blessing on their gospel ministry,” it says. “Finally, we call on American policymakers to use their power to take all forms of terrorism seriously and call governments and civil authorities to confront evil work to prevent future attacks so that the innocent and vulnerable will be protected.
“May God bring peace to the Middle East.”
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Alexi J. Rosenfeld / Stringer
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
